Merry Christmas From KOA!

Merry Christmas from the Williamsburg KOA! We hope you are having fun this holiday season with friends and family. Our campground will be open until January 31st for everyone looking for a great winter camping trip. There are many events and activities in Williamsburg and the surrounding areas for you to enjoy!

From now until January 2nd, excluding Christmas Day, Busch Gardens is open for its annual Christmas Town spectacular. The World Most Beautiful Amusement Park shines bright with 8 million twinkling Christmas lights and 1 shining red nose from everyone's favorite reindeer! Verbolten and Tempesto will be open for thrilling roller coaster fun along with other rides and don't miss the great Christmas shows and delicious food. Santa will be there with many of his elf helpers to make your visit magical.

Colonial Williamsburg is putting on many Christmas themed events as well, such as guided tours, historical performances, and displays at the art museums. Make it a tradition to spend Christmas Eve at the community Christmas tree lighting. Stop by and eat at one of their famous taverns or see how people celebrated Christmas in the 18th Century. Try a carriage ride through the town for a unique view of the Revolutionary City. Enjoy ice-skating with the family at Liberty's Ice Pavilion. You can skate into the New Year with a special closing time of 1am on December 31st!

The American Revolution Museum and the Jamestown Settlement are providing a glimpse of a Colonial Christmas through performances and presentations. Listen to stories from the 17th century about Christmas traditions and the challenging times the settlers had to endure. Don't miss out on a visit from the Lord of Misrule "the grand captain of mischief" and his retinue.

At the Virginia Living Museum in Newport News, get ready for the New Year with Noon Year's Eve December 31st. They'll be celebrating the Space Race with a year long program of events that start on New Years Eve. You'll be bale to explore NASA exhibits and talk a walk on the Dark Side with the Star Wars 501st Storm Trooper Legion, Mandalorian Mercs, and Rebel Legions. There will also be a special visit from Bubbles the Clown and the Teeny Tiny Farm traveling petting zoo. The museum is open 9am to 5pm each day and Noon Years Eve special activities run from 11am to 1pm on Decemeber 31st.

As you can see, there is a lot going on for Christmas and New Years around here. So, stop on by, stay a while, and enjoy the Holidays with us!
 

Get Your Spooky On With Colonial Ghost Tours!

Ranked as one of the Top 10 Ghost Tours in America by US City Traveler and the Best Tour Operator Award in Williamsburg, the Colonial Ghost Tours of America are one the best ways to get in touch with the other side. Follow the licensed tour guides around one of America's most haunted towns, and discover places you won't find on another tour, including Indian burial grounds and haunted tunnels underneath the College of William & Mary campus.

Your journey will include witches, stories of murder, tragedies of war, and bitter betrayal across hundreds of years. The Colonial Ghost Tour stories are based on research, eye-witness interviews, and a ghost storybook connected to factual and historic events.

There are three tours for ghost-hunters. The first hits 10 spooky locations and is child-friendly and 60 minutes long. The second takes you around to 16 locations, including the exclusive tour around William & Mary. Also kid friendly, this Extended Tour is 90 minutes long and covers 1.5 miles. The Ultimate Williamsburg Ghost Tour is for adults only, with regular-length and extended options. Learn more at the Colonial Ghosts of Williamsburg website, here!

Pokemon GO Meets Camping at KOA

Chances are you've heard about the influx of Pokemon creatures that have populated the planet- or at least most people's cell phones. Pokemon GO is a free-to-play augmented reality game that has captured the attention of over 21 million people. The game combines technology with nature as people explore the outdoors to search wild Pokemon. And there's no better place to explore than while camping here at Williamsburg KOA!

We have over 180 acres for you and Pokemon to roam. You can even stock up on pokeballs and potions at our very own PokeStop. Our beautiful campground has various terrains which will help you find different types of Pokemon. Water type Pokemon hang out near bodies of water, grass types are in fields, and some even come out only at night! Check out some we've run into so far:

Fearow by a cabin 

Nidoran on a trail 

Spearow Spider Climbing 

Venonat at Splash Pad

And there are several ways to play here while camping. Scan your surroundings for a Pikachu on your way to an outdoor movie screening. Catch Pokemon after taking a break on our Jumping Pillow. Restock at our PokeStop in between ice cream at Ted's and s'mores around the campfire.

We welcome our campers to walk about the grounds and catch all the new and exciting Pokemon that call KOA their home. Go ahead and bring the whole family - there's sure to be something for everyone here at Williamsburg KOA.

Hidden Treasures: The Joys of Geocaching

If you've been looking for a new outdoor activity to share with your family, look no further. Within patches of forest and national parks, there are hidden secrets just waiting for you to find them. Thanks to the invention of 21st century GPS technology, geocaching has become the next hottest craze as a modern treasure hunt for all ages.

Geocaching is a fun, free activity that has gained massive popularity across the United States. All you need to start is a smartphone with a GPS. With a simple download of the free official Geocaching app (on Google Play and the App Store), you just have to register with no cost through the app or on the Geocaching website. Then you can seek out one of the nearly 100 geocaches we have in the Williamsburg area and we even have a few near our campground that you can find on foot!

Once you get the GPS coordinates for each geocache (the ones on our campground can be found at the front desk), your group can start your searching adventure. First, use your phone or GPS to find the general location of the cache and follow the trail to its hiding spot. They can be hidden in anything from stumps to bushes to tree branches, so search carefully. After you find it, open the case up and write your name in the log to let everyone know that you have been there. Some geocaches even have little trinkets and treasures inside them, but if you take something, make sure to replace it with something of your own so that people after you can find something special too. This activity is perfect to keep kids engaged and parents entertained! Hunt for geocaches together and share that satisfying feeling when you see a hidden geocache for the first time.

Let your next stay at the Williamsburg KOA introduce you to a new hobby that is sure to become a family favorite, no matter where you are in the US. Get outside and let the treasure hunt begin!

Join the Summer Fun at Williamsburg KOA!

We like to stay busy here at our KOA! With so many events coming up every weekend this June, and leading into July, our staff is preparing exciting events for all of our guests. Check out all the things we're planning at our campgrounds for this summer!


1. Frozen Weekend

On the weekend of June 24th-26th, we'll be holding our first ever Frozen event! We're excited to host Elsa and Anna from Arendelle so they can take pictures, host sing-alongs, and read stories with the kids. For this special event, Teeny Tiny Farm is even bringing out our favorite pony for everyone to meet. And of course, we'll be holding a screening of Frozen on our Outdoor Big Screen to relive the magic!


2. Fourth of July

For the 4th of July weekend, we have a lot of great activities planned out to make this Independence Day a blast. A favorite of ours is our Independence Day Bike Parade. We'll also be receiving a visit from Bubbles the Clown during this weekend, and hosting a movie night on our Outdoor Big Screen. We can't wait to share the great American tradition of camping with our guests during this historic holiday!


3. Power Rangers Meet-and-Greet

Power Rangers are back in style. The Pink and Blue Rangers are going to be visiting our campgrounds on Friday, July 22nd for all of our guests to meet. They'll chat with the kids, take pictures, and even play tug-of-war! We're so excited for these special guests to come by!

4. Teeny Tiny Farm Saturdays

Of course, we can't forget to mention a guest favorite. Every time the Teeny Tiny Farm visited our campgrounds, our guests loved it so much that we decided to make it a weekly event. Now every Saturday evening, up until September 3rd, our guests can meet the new and exciting animals the farm brings out every week!


We loved filling you in on everything going on here at our campgrounds. We'd love even more to see you in person at any of our events to have a fantastic camping getaway. Let us know below how your schedule looks for this summer!

Five Simple Summer Recipes for a Full Day of Camping

When we're busy traveling on the road, we look for recipes that are fun, easy to make, and delicious! We've put together a full day of meals to try that are simple and guaranteed to please the whole family.

1) Breakfast: Omelettes in a Bag

Make as many personalized omelettes you want - one for each family member! All you need is boiling water and freezer bags to cook your omelette creations. Put your beaten eggs with any desired ingredients in the bag, and drop them in the water for 5-10 minutes. A pro-tip: halfway through cooking, remove your baggies and break up the mixture inside, to make sure they get fully cooked. Breakfast in a breeze!

2) Lunch: Sausage & Pepper Sandwiches

All you need is 4 ingredients and some skewers! Thread some sausages and red peppers on a skewer and grill until cooked through. Grill some garlic bread for a few minutes until lightly browned, then assemble your sandwiches with mozzarella cheese in the middle. Juicy and hearty!

3) Snack/Appetizer: Grilled Corn on the Cob 

This outdoor classic never fails to please. Soak in some sugar water with the husk on before cooking for a sweet touch. Or put a spin on the classic by grilling each side with the husk off until slightly charred, and rubbing lime and salt on after it's cooked for a savory delight!

4) Dinner: Grilled Pizza

This is another easy to customize meal, so everyone gets exactly what they like! And all you need for the pizza core are your three classic ingredients: shredded cheese, pizza sauce, and English muffins as the bread base. Sprinkle any desired toppings on and grill over foil until your cheese is bubbling and browned. Healthy tip: instead of English muffins, try Portabello mushrooms with a little oil (and bake, not grill) for a creative new taste!

5) Dessert: Pineapple Inside Out Donuts

Finish up your cooking on the grill with these sweet and caramelized donuts, with just 3 ingredients! Cut some plain cake donuts in half and place pineapple slices inside the halves with a few tablespoons of brown sugar pressed on. Wrap in foil and cook over hot coals or the grill for 20 minutes, turning them over halfway. Once the brown sugar is melted, they're ready to be eaten up. Pro-tip: you can use any flavor of donut you'd like!


And there are our five recipes for a complete day of delicious food. Which recipe would you want to try first? Let us know in the comments, we can't wait to hear!

Happy camping!

KOA Easy Camping Guide

With autumn weather now upon us, it's a great time to go camping. We've put together some tips and advice for tenting camping to help you in preparing for your first trip. Packing for a camping trip for the first time can be intimidating, but with a few of our helpful tips, you can become a camping pro in no time.

While tents used to be pretty basic, the amount of different kinds that you could buy today can be daunting for a new camper. There are three main types of tents: 3 season, 3-4 season, and 4 season tents. Three season tents have good ventilation and protection for spring, summer and fall weather. The 3-4 season tents are a little more sturdy with fewer ventilation panels. These tents are built a little tougher so they can withstand higher elevations and lower temperatures. The 4 season tents are built to hold up in snow and high wind. These tents are great for winter camping in high elevations. Along with the different types of tents to buy, there are also important aspects of the tent to consider: tent height, floor length, tent doors, tent poles, rainfly, and tent material.

The next things to consider are your sleeping bag, pad, and pillow. Picking a sleeping bag can be complicated, especially if you want to get something that will last a while. Sleeping bags are categorized by their temperature rating, or the minimum temperature they will keep a regular sleeping person warm.Their are three main temperature ratings: summer, 3 seasons, and winter. The summer sleeping bags have a temperature range of +35 degrees and above. The 3 seasons sleeping bag is equipped to handle temperatures from +10 degrees to +35 degrees. This sleeping bag allows for a larger range of weather to camp in. The winter sleeping bags can handle temperatures below +10 degrees. A sleeping pad will make sleeping on the ground a little more comfortable and you don't want to forget a pillow!

No matter the weather, you always want to be prepared in the clothes department. Bring extra sets of clothes, especially socks. It is not fun going to sleep in wet clothes, and wet socks are the worst. Even on the hottest days, pants and long sleeves can protect you from the sun and annoying bugs. And don't forget a hat!

There are a couple different ways to build a fire, but the main ingredients you'll need are tinder, kindling, and firewood. Tinder is important for getting the flame started and consists of small twigs, dried leaves, or a fire starter. Kindling helps keep the flame going while the firewood gets warmed up. Our favorite way of building a fire is using the teepee technique. You always want to build a fire in a ring, fireplace, or grill so that you decrease the risk of a forest fire. Place tinder in the center of your fire ring and surround it with kindling in the shape of a teepee. Make sure to pack matches or something to light the fire. Once you've lit your fire and the flames are strong you can start adding larger pieces of firewood. When you're done, make sure the fire is completely out before leaving, and don't ever leave a fire unattended.

Camping is a great time to get creative in the cooking department. The KOA website offers many recipes to cook over the fire, so you won't be left just cooking hotdogs the entire time. Maybe try baked potato in a can or even try a bar-b-que bean bake. The possibilities are endless. And don't forget plates and utensils!

(All information gathered from REI.)

Spring Arrives in Williamsburg!

Spring is a celebrated season of new beginnings at the end of the cold winter, and it looks incredible in Williamsburg. We can see the sights and sounds of spring everywhere around town, from Colonial Williamsburg to Busch Gardens and back again.

Colonial Williamsburg is in full bloom.The historic gardens are alive with pinks, purples, reds, and yellows. Vibrant gardens aren't the only thing worth seeing, however. Colonial Williamsburg has a full program of events every day celebrating the founding of our nation. On any given day at Colonial Williamsburg, you can hear the words of the founding fathers, see the Continental Army prepare to fight the British, and experience life as it was in the 18th century. You can see that story continue at the Yorktown Victory Center or visit the Jamestown Settlement to see where Colonial America began.

Busch Gardens has also been open for a month now, so if you're looking to visit the World's Most Beautiful Theme Park without the busy crowds of the summer months, get your tickets now! Busch Gardens offers 383 acres of beautiful Virginia scenery packed with thrilling rides and roller coasters, spectacular shows and events, and world class dining. Tickets to Busch Gardens as well as the Historic Triangle can be purchased at the campground General Store. Be sure to ask about our discounted ticket options.

Our 180-acre campground is warming up after a long winter with the rest of Williamsburg. We're heavily forested, and the trees are a sight you can't miss! Not to mention the beautiful flowers located around the campground, which are beginning to bloom again. Our heated pool will open soon and we have great activities for the family every weekend. Join us in celebrating our 43rd year of providing great camping to our guests this April 22nd and 23rd. We'll have special guests and events celebrating our birthday all weekend long. Don't pass up this opportunity to welcome spring back with your family at our beautiful campground and make memories to last a lifetime!

You Are Now in a Stress Free Zone!

Disconnecting from technology and connecting with Nature. In our technology driven world it can be a challenge to shut off the noise of the outside world and enjoy the quiet and calm that nature provides. We often find ourselves so attached to our screens that we forget how much fun it is to just be present; to look around and take in everything nature has to offer.

Present for the nature walks with more than a mile of trails to explore. Present for hikes through the 180 acres that the campground has to offer. Present for marshmallow roasting and story-telling around the campfire. Present for star gazing and firefly catching.  Present for pool splashing and pillow jumping. Present for bike riding and dog walking. Present for the early sunrises and rich sunsets.

Being here, really here, is one of the best ways to spend time as a family. Whether it’s that first deep breath of your much needed vacation, or waking up without the alarm, or not having the hustle and bustle of a morning commute, be present. Enjoy those moments. The Williamsburg KOA has everything you need to unwind, relax, and unplug.